The voice of NIU will be remembered today.

The memorial service for Steve Thiel will be held at 3 p.m. in the Clara Sperling Sky Room of the Holmes Student Center. Thiel died Jan. 13.

Manager of NIU Telecommunications Teri Reid said Thiel began his career with ITS in April of 1981. He worked as the chief operator of the NIU information switchboard for 27 years.

Reid said Thiel knew the main number — 815-753-1000 — was the front door to the university.

He knew callers from out of state, in the community and from NIU would get their first impression of the university when they spoke to his office, Reid said.

“He helped them figure things out,” Reid said. “He helped them get to the person they needed to get to.”

At the service, Reid and Walter Czerniak, associate vice president of ITS, will say a few words about Thiel in remembrance.

Reid said anyone is welcome to say a few words.

“It’s time to share memories for all of us who knew him,” Reid said.

Thiel’s co-workers said he was a caring, giving friend.

Operator Carol Albert, who worked with Thiel for seven years, said he would go out of his way to help the callers in any way he could.

“He was always kind and patient with the callers,” Albert said. “He was a helpful and cheerful person.”

Information Specialist JoAnn Gill, who worked with Thiel for ten years, said he called her his “right hand” since she made him coffee every morning. They would sit and talk for a while each day.

Gill said he was not only a supervisor but a friend as well. He considered his employees his family, she added.

“He brought sunshine into the office,” Gill said. “He would consider others before he would think of himself. He will be greatly missed.”